Murder suspect in custody, second suspect sought

Willie “Chan” Johnson, with his wife Tawanda, and their two daughters Destiny and Ebony.

CAMBRIDGE — Police here have one suspect in custody and are searching for a second suspect in connection with the apparent murder of Cambridge taxi driver Willie “Chan” Green Johnson, 55, on Jan. 14.

At approximately 9:13 p.m. that evening, Cambridge Police received a call about a shooting on the 400 block of Willis Street. Upon arrival police found Mr. Johnson slumped behind the wheel of his taxi with a gunshot wound to the face. Officers performed CPR on Mr. Johnson until Dorchester County EMS arrived on the scene. Mr. Johnson was transported to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A witness on the scene reported seeing two African American males wearing dark clothing fleeing the scene. According to Cambridge P.D., the apparent motive in the slaying was robbery.

“I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of the victim Mr. Johnson,” said Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley. “Everything that happens in this community affects me. It is a tragedy that we have any kind of violence in our community.”

“This is a senseless crime and a tragedy for the family. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the men and women of the Cambridge Police Department, who have been working the whole night through to try to bring a successful conclusion to this investigation,” said Cambridge Police Chief Daniel Dvorak.
His department, he continued, “conducted an extensive investigation with the assistance of the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, and State’s Attorney Bill Jones, who was right on the scene to help us with search warrants to move the investigation forward. As a result of this investigation we have one suspect in custody, and more arrests are expected.”

Willie Johnson

In a press conference, Chief Dvorak said that his department received a phone call immediately following the incident, and also had a local resident give a description of the people fleeing the scene.

“We have to reduce crime, reduce drug addiction, and we have to show the criminals in Cambridge that we will not tolerate this behavior,” said Chief Dvorak. “This is a community partnership. If someone in the community knows about someone going around robbing people, we need to know about it. We need to know and work on it. We have an anonymous tip line, 410-228-DRUG, and we urge people to use that number and let us help solve these cases and prevent these crimes.”

In response to a question about additional officers being used for the investigation, Chief Dvorak stated, “No one is heading home until we have a successful resolution.”

Police officers conducted an investigation on the scene and collected evidence that is being processed at the Maryland State Police crime lab. A weapon possibly used in the crime was found near the scene, and is being tested by the crime lab. “This was a textbook investigation by my officers,” said Chief Dvorak, “one step at a time, and we’re confident we will have the second suspect off the streets.”

Late in the day on Jan. 15, the suspect in custody was charged with the crime. Chief Dvorak announced that “Bruce Lamont Jackson, 24, of Cambridge has been arrested and charged in reference to the homicide on the 400 Block of Willis Street on Thursday evening. Jackson has been charged with 1st and 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault, Handgun on Person and Use of Firearm/Violent Crime. Jackson is currently being held in the Dorchester County Detention Center on no bond.”

The Dorchester County Faith Alliance and the Cambridge Police Department quickly made plans to hold a prayer vigil for Willie “Chan” Green Johnson, to support his family and friends during this tragedy. Chan was a visible and active member of this community and he will be missed. The vigil was planned to take place at 5 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2016 at the American Legion Park on the corner of Park Lane and Willis Street in Cambridge.

Paul Clipper is the editor of the Dorchester Banner. He can be reached at pclipper@newszap.com.

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